Q&A for How to Not Get Creeped out by a Chain Letter

Chain letters often say scary things like this to convince people to keep spreading them. But it's always fake. Nothing is going to happen to anyone because of the chain letter. It's best to just not read those things and delete them as soon as you get them.

It says that because it is using standard scare tactics to make you think that it has some basis. It doesn't - every chain letter is a threat, a falsehood and should be ignored. If you feel pressured or threatened by it, put it into the trash and press delete. All done, you're free.

It's still fake. There's no evidence the person actually received bad luck because of breaking a chain letter. Nothing will actually happen if you don't forward it.

You may tell an adult you're having nightmares over it. Maybe they'll help you remove it from your mind.

Determine the reason you're afraid. Tell yourself that everything's going to be fine, and then do something you enjoy doing.

The chain mail is still fake. The dead person cannot come back to life and hurt you. If you are still afraid, considering praying for their soul instead, so that it can rest in peace.

It's not real, so just leave or delete the message.

Nothing happens. The only difference is that the mail never even made into your inbox, and you didn't even read it.

It is the same thing as a chain mail sent via email. Chain mails are just made for you to share, re-post, re-tweet, forward, etc.

Mute it or delete it quickly. Voice messages are creepier than a chain letter. Don't listen to what it says; it's just a waste of time.

Someone you trust. If you're a kid, your parent or teacher, if not, tell someone you feel comfortable with, who's a good listener.

Go to snopes.com and search "Carmen Winstead." Snopes.com is a well-known website dedicated to debunking internet urban legends and rumors. They have an article on this urban legend, which tells you where and when it got started and how there's no genuine evidence that such a death ever occurred. All those pictures and messages were created with the intent of making the legend seem more real and to frighten others. This is common with popular internet urban legends. It's easy to fake things online and make up more believable stories with this "evidence." If it's possible and if it would make you feel better, talk to someone level-headed that you trust about your fears.

Just delete it. Authentic letters containing stories of real need or genuine spiritual advice don't need to resort to pressure tactics to spread their message.

Only mean, nasty people that are bored want to do it. They only do it to scare people so that they can make fun of them afterwards.

You can believe that all you want, but that won't change the reality that it isn't true.

Apologize to the people you sent it to if you feel the need to, explaining that you didn't know better, and make sure not to do it again. Don't beat yourself up too much: for many people, chain mail is just a minor nuisance or maybe even a bit fun. If someone you forwarded the message to seems upset, however, definitely apologize.

Report the image. Look at some nice pictures, listen to really silly music - do this to distract you and make you feel less scared! And you won't die at 3 a.m.!

Nothing will happen, except that the chain gets forwarded. At most, a few people might get frightened, but many probably won't. Most will probably get slightly annoyed, amused, or will ignore it without thought. Some will possibly forward it as you did, for their own reasons.

Yes, but you should let the people you send it to know that it is fake. They may not realize it otherwise.

No matter what the letter has been sent on, it is still fake and nothing is going to hurt you.

No. They only say that to scare you and make you send the chain letter to more people. Just delete it and forget about it, it's not real.

They make videos of chain letters to scare people even more than they already are, but you just have to remember that it's never real. You can send a message to anyone with a made up story and video to get attention.

Do not click it. If you do, your device could get a virus, or something worse. It is always best to ignore those emails.

It can't come true. It's physically impossible. A chain letter can't make something happen to you. It's all fake baloney meant to scare you and to make you spread it. If anything in a chain letter really happens to you, it is a coincidence.

Nothing is necessarily going to happen. Most people don't care one way or another. If you know someone who is upset about it, apologize.

Some bored or nasty people just decide they want to do something to scare others, thinking of it as fun. Then they'll write a chain letter and start passing it on via email or social media.

Rather than seeking revenge, you should clearly tell your friend to stop. If they persist, consider ignoring the chain letters, as they are not real. You might also choose to reduce communication until the behavior ceases.

If you are scared, talk to your parents or another trusted adult. Ask your friends to stop sending you chain letters, and remember that these messages are not real.

The chain letter isn't real. Keep telling yourself this, and distract yourself by reading a book, watching YouTube, or doing something else you like to do. You can also call a friend or parent and ask them to stay on the phone with you for a while if you're scared about being alone.

The story you're reading is made up. It is completely fictional. There is nothing true about it, especially not the part about the person haunting you or killing you. Just keep reminding yourself of this, and try to avoid reading such things in the future.